The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-09-17
THREE SCENES.
The Hidden Link Which Made of
Them One Chain.

Neither the brush nor the pen, but the
lancet and the scalpel are properly my
tools, and yet for an hour past have been
occupied in delineating on the canvas Of
memory certain scenes that belong to the
past. The reverie-painted pictures are
three in number and each IS vivid, sharply
defined, and stands conspicuously out in
its setting Of trivial or exciting crcum-
stance. Have they any thing in common
despite their seeming dissertation? | be-
gin to think so. A more dubious problem
If there is indeed hidden secret link be-
tween these events, will the discovery
thereof aid or hinder the realization of my
dearest hope! l have at present no answer
to this question.
The first scene imagination has coniured
anew before me with all the exactness of
realism reveals the interior of a jewelers.
shop in Renford, my native town. 1t is q
line, large business apartment, with its
walls lined with cases displaying through
their polished glass costly articles of vrtu
for Mr.. Huntley magnifies his trade, and
is collector-and its counters spread
with more cases, holding in dainty
nests gold and silver and precious
stones fashioned in many forms of use
and ornament. Mr. Huntley's shopman is
busy in the front rearranging portion of
the stock; his employer and l are discuss
ing in the office, semi-partitioned off at the
rear a question of local politics having
no sort of connection with the present
narrative. My father is vicar of Rerford ::
and Mr.. Huntley, as long as l can recolect,
has been wears Observation-Disclosures the
intimacy between us; and although | have
commenced the study of medicine, and look
speedily to sever the tie of residence in the
quiet western town, / am still interested in
local affairs. Suddenly, the shop doors
there are wisely two-open one after the
other-the inner one with sharp little
jerk that betokens nervousness or haste on
the part OF the prospective customer. The
austere young man who is polishing an
enamel brooch deftly replaces it, slides
back the case bottom with a subdued click
and waits in an attitude of deferential a :
tention. Standing at right angles to Mr.
Huntley's desk, l am facing the shop and
the street, and however injurious, am
compelled to see and hear what passes.
1t is young girl-she may be fifteen, She
may be older-who has entered, and there
is something about her that | find curiously
attractive. She is a stranger to me, and
therefore, perhaps, l observe more par
in its timid yet graceful movements; the
pretty piquant profile; the clear complex.
ion, with the pink spot, telling Of excite.
ment in the center of the beautiful nodded
check; the hayward, golden curls, that
defy the restraint of the simple sun-hat;
and the dress of soft creamy white, which
so admirably suits both it's owner and the
pleasant summer weather. Erect, ener-
getic, with an evident sense of humiliation
playing the foil to touch of unconscious
hauteur-the vision comes back as write
You wish to see the principal, miss?
Did understand correctly?"
The girl gives quick gesture of assent;
the assistant calls his master and am left
with only the occupation of the onooker.
From small threadbare reticule | see
produced bracelet, ring, and one or two
other articles, which seem to have formed
part OF fashionable lady's outfit of Jew
cry The color has deepened on the
maiden's face, and 1 am fancying that she
is at once proud of her possessions and
anxious as to the result of her present
enterprise. She has reason for her anxiety,
of which it is charitable to believe she sus-
poets nothing. will be bold to say that
one can not watch the changing lights and
shadows of her countenance and think her
the originator or willful accomplice of
fraud
"These-what can you give me for thesel"
she asks, in low, quivering voice. "You
do buy gems, l believe; these are very
valuable, am told" She does not appear
to have the smallest appreciation of the
fact that a respectable tradesman will
hardly make random offer for jewels that
can be thus described, without inquiry not
only as to the bona tides Of the applicant, but
as to the authority also for the sale
But this stage is never reached. Mr.
Huntley has taken up one by one the gleam-
ing wares, and one by one laid them aside
after an inspection which has its result in
making him phenomenally grave and chas-
ing storm-lne across his forehead
'Have you any idea of the worth of these
articles, or Of either-any one Of thcm2" he
dryly asks.
think both the assistant and myself in
stinctively prick up our ears. The girl
too, is startled by his tone. 81 have been
assured-papa said it-that the stones in
the bracelet alone cost two hundred and
fifty pounds
The glance with which she meets Mr.
Hunt.ey's keen look is as open as the day,